Finding Meaning

Meaningful Days-Meaningful Friends

“Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend-or a meaningful day.” The Dalai Lama

How can we make today meaningful? We can practice kindness, tolerance, and open heartedness. We can do our work with diligence, take pride in our accomplishments, whether a clean floor or a signed contract. We can listen to our co-workers, or the person next to us on the bus. We can respond to others as though they matter to us. We can lend a hand where one is needed. We can say yes instead of no. We can refuse to criticize or gossip. We can spend ten minutes outside listening to the sounds of nature. We can live in the present moment fully and with undivided attention.

How can we make our friendships meaningful? We can slow down long enough to have a conversation. We can offer support when it is needed, whether that means collecting their mail while they're away, or walking the dog, or sitting in silence while they say what's on their heart. We can make time to have lunch or coffee. We can speak our own truth to them, let them in on our failures as well as our triumphs. We can love them even when they make us mad. We can forgive their mistakes and pray for them every day. And we can let them go when they need to go.

We find meaning in our lives by paying attention, careful attention. Being present with the whole of our body and mind in each moment is a rare and precious gift. Meeting each day with anticipation, and each friend with appreciation brings meaning into every ordinary moment.

                                       In the Spirit,

                                             Jane